Huntly 3 Hill of Beath Hawthorn 0: Win tops off perfect weekend for management team
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A CONVINCING Scottish Cup victory was the highlight of a perfect weekend for Huntly’s management team.
Manager Allan Hale and assistant Stefan Laird signed contract extensions on Friday night, keeping them at Christie Park until 2025.
On Saturday, the team helped the management duo celebrate their new deals in style – brushing aside East of Scotland Premiership side Hill of Beath Hawthorn 3-0 in the first round of the Scottish Cup.
First half strikes from Gavin Elphinstone and Caiden Imbert Thomas had Huntly well en route to the second round – with Kyle Dalling adding a third after the break.
The Black and Golds will travel south for a second round tie with League Two side Stenhousemuir on October 23.
Manager Allan Hale said: “We are delighted with the win. It’s been a difficult few weeks for the players with losses to Fraserburgh and Formartine but there were never any panic stations.
“We have got a lot of trust and belief in the players and it was good to see them respond in the manner they did. To give that level of performance against a good team – and to get a clean sheet – was brilliant.
“It was a thoroughly deserved victory. We were on the front foot and the crowd got right behind the team – the atmosphere and backing was great to see.
“The Scottish Cup provides an opportunity for players and supporters to experience moments you don’t get from a league campaign.
“Stenhousemuir will be a massive challenge but we hope to give a good account of ourselves and the Highland League down there. Stenny will be massive favourites at home, with the experience in their team, but the pressure is all going to be on them.
“We look forward to the game, hope to do ourselves justice and, who knows, maybe pull off a shock.”
Having signed contracts through to 2025 – adding two years onto their previous deals – Hale was keen to underline that himself and assistant Stefan Laird are at the club for the long haul.
He said: “This extension is great for Stefan and myself and gives the club further stability. We know the project, know what we are working towards and the board are right behind what we are trying.
“We know it’s going to be a long-term project and we are delighted to commit to it. We are enjoying ourselves and getting tremendous support from the board, players, fans and everyone at the club.”
The next step for Huntly is getting back to winning ways in the Highland League, after a run of five games without picking up three points.
Fort William are the visitors to Christie Park on Saturday.
“We are focused on building on a really positive performance against Hill of Beath,” Hale added.
“Fort William will be difficult and we will have to play well to take all three points.
“Hopefully we will get another positive performance.”
